Paramedic

About North Country Healthcare (Nch):

North Country Healthcare is a non-profit affiliation of four medical facilities, Androscoggin Valley Hospital, North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, and Weeks Medical Center, located in the White Mountains Region of New Hampshire. NCH includes numerous physicians and medical providers at multiple locations. This leading comprehensive healthcare network which employs hundreds of highly-trained individuals delivers integrated patient care through three community hospitals, specialty clinics, and home health and hospice services. NCH remains committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve. As a leader in a management position this role emphasizes advancing High-Reliability Organization (HRO) principles, embedding a culture of safety, accountability, and consistent high performance.

Position Summary:

The Emergency Department (ED) Paramedic will function as a member of the clinical team in the Emergency Department assuming and providing quality care to patients in the Emergency department. The Weeks Medical Center (WMC) paramedic may be asked to accompany an EMS service on a transfer to another facility based on acuity. The WMC paramedic will follow the protocols set forth by the state of New Hampshire and the WMC standards of care. The Paramedic is accountable to the Emergency Department Manager and Emergency Department Director.

Essential Qualifications

Education:

• Graduate of Paramedic Program.

Certification:

• NRP Certification required, must be obtained within one year of employment.
• MOAB required within one year.

Licensure:

• Current licensure as a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic.
• Current licensure as an Emergency Medical Care Provider in the State of New Hampshire.
• Current BLS, ACLS, PALS and PHTLS certifications required prior to employment. Critical care course completion required within two years of employment.
• Association* accredited course in Basic Life Support (BLS) (for clinical staff), or Heartsaver CPR AED (for nonclinical staff), and renewal on a regular basis, with up to a three-month grace period after the expiration date.

Skills:

• Advanced Clinical Proficiency Preferred.
• Effective Communication and Collaboration.
• Risk Management and Problem Solving.
• Technology and Documentation.
• Compassionate Patient Care.

Work Experience:

• Two years' experience as a Paramedic required.
• Hospital experience preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, conflict management and time management skills required.
• Basic computer systems knowledge.

Essential Functions:

1. Demonstrates current clinical competence and excellence in clinical practice as outlined in skills competency tool.
2. Accepts responsibility and accountability for his/her own clinical practice while functioning as a Paramedic in the ED. Adheres to the Standards of Practice in the ED based upon physician orders and during transports under the NH EMS Protocols.
3. Accepts responsibility and accountability to identify and report Risk Management situations. Completes Occurrence Reports with all details documented. Notifies the EMS Coordinator, the Emergency Department Manager, and the Risk Manager when risk related situations arise.
4. Brings recommendations on new products and recommendations to reduce supply expenses to the EMS Coordinator and Department Manager as needed. Demonstrates a commitment to containing costs and efficient use of materials.
5. Assesses EMS patients immediately upon arrival at the scene. Assesses Emergency Department patients. Assesses and Triage Emergency Department patients.
6. Interprets rhythm strips accurately. While functioning in the ED, review all test results including (but not limited to) EKGs, Lab and X-ray and report findings to the ED physician.
7. In conjunction with the ED physician and ED RN, coordinates the in-hospital interdisciplinary plan of care.
8. Implements the plan of care including the administration of medications according to State and hospital formulary/policy. Monitors for desired effect as well as side effects and adverse effects. Documents findings.
9. Assists the physician and other providers in treatments and procedures (i.e. suturing, splinting). Implements physician orders within scope of practice for a Paramedic.
10. Reviews and updates treatment plan in collaboration with the pre-hospital team or the ED team, the family and the patient.
11. Appropriately triage patient using ESI model and notify ED RN and Physician of any immediate critical findings. Initiates orders in the ED per protocol and policy as appropriate.
12. Input Physicians orders into Order Management system and carry out waive testing as needed. Processes other physician orders for diagnostic tests.
13. Documents all pertinent information on the pre-hospital PCR or the patient’s medical record in an accurate, detailed and legible manner adhering to procedures for charting.
14. Transport patients to and from other departments as requested. Monitors patients and continues essential services (i.e. oxygen, IV therapy) during transport as indicated.
15. Ensure sensitivity toward patients and caregiver/family by eliciting patient’s physical and emotional concerns, being a receptive listener, and providing an environment conducive to interviewing and the delivery of care.
16. Upon request, accompanies a patient on a paramedic level transfer from any affiliate to another acute care facility. Ensures completion of NH Transfer form and obtains orders from physician prior to transfer.
17. Follows appropriate infection control practices and precautions as outlined in the hospital policies and procedures.
18. Supports patient care initiatives in all clinical departments by responding to Code Blue and Rapid Response Team calls in-house and performing IV starts in any department as requested.
19. Adhere to Medication Safety policies in regards to appropriately bar-coding medications and patient ID bands. Obtaining a witness whenever a barcode override for a medication to be administered is necessary. Meeting this standard would be using barcode override 3% (or less) of the time.

Non-Essential Functions

1. Performs additional duties as assigned.
2. Adheres to facility Values, Service Excellence and Standards of Excellence.